Can punch



Oct. 31, 1944. A. HURD 2,361,689

CAN PUNCH Filed Jur 1e 27, 1944 L I INVENTOR.

Patented Oct. 31, 1944 u NITE o "STAT Es PATENT OFFICE CAN PUNCH Allen Hurd; San Francisco, Calif.

; .Application'Juner27, 1944; SerialNo. 542,277

Claims.

"The present invention relates .to improvements in-can punches, and has particular reference to a canpunch adapted for punching two diametrically opposed holes'in a'conventional type of milk can containing: condensed milk.

Cans of this type are placed on the market in two conventional sizes and it is proposed to provide a canpunch adapted for use in connection with both sizes.

It is further-proposed to provide a punch of the characterdescribed that is exceedingly simple in construction, rugged, made ofa single piece of --metal and which has no movable or attached parts whichare-apt to come loose or detached in the use of the punch through an extended time period.

More particularly it is proposed to provide a can punch of the character described that is made of a single piece of angle iron, each flange being shaped to present spaced piercing and guide elements, and each flange being adapted to serve as a pressure member whereby the piercing elements of the other flange may be forced through the cover of the can.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification proceeds and the novel features of my can punch will be fully defined in the claims hereto attached.

The preferred form of my invention is illustrated in the drawing accompanying this application, in which:

Figure 1 shows a bottom plan view of my can punch;

Figure 2, a side view of the same; and

Figure 3, an end view of my can punch;

While I have shown only the preferred form of m invention, I wish to have it understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claims hereto attached without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to th drawing in detail, my can punch I is preferably made of a piece of angle iron 2 having two flanges 3 and 4 arranged to form a right angle between the same.

The flange 3 is slightly longer than the flange l and projects beyond the same at both ends, as shown at 5, and is intended for use in connection with the larger size of milk can.

The flange 3 is formed with two deep transverse cuts 6 near the ends thereof to form two prongs 1 adapted to straddle the can when placed over the same diametrically.

The remaining body portion 8 between the cuts 6 is recessed, as at 9,to=' provide two pointed piercing elements-ill adjacent the cuts 6. It will be-notedthat the piercing elements are shorter thanthe prongs- 5,so as to allow the prongs to glide over the outside of the can in advance of the piercing elements.

Thelcuts '6 are somewhat deeper thantherecess' 9, to accommodate any bead that may be formed around the rim of the milk can. The body portion 8 serves to provide a stop forthe piercing elements.

A handle ll of suitable shape. projects centrally fromthenangle preferably ,ihtheplane of the flange 3. Thefsecondflange 4 may be used as 'a pressure member, on which the operator bears down to force the piercing elements through the can material,

The flange 4, which is shorter than flange 3, and which is intended for punching cans of the smaller size, is shaped in similar fashion. It is formed with the deep cuts I2 to provide the outer guide prongs l3, and with a recess H1 in the bodyportion l5 to provide the piercing elements [6.

When the piercing elements of flange 4 are placed over the can, as illustrated in Figure 3, they may be forced through the can material by pressure exerted on the flange. The handle is arranged at a right angle to flange 4.

In use, when a small can is to be punched, the operator places the flange 4 diametrically across the end of the can, as illustrated in Figure 3, with the prongs l3 on the outside of the can, and the piercing elements l6 over the inside of the can and near the rim thereof, and with the handle I l extending sidewise.

Slight pressure brought to bear on top of the flange 3 wil1 cause the piercing elements to penetrate the end of the can and to out two holes, one of which may be used for pouring the milk, while the other serves as a vent hole.

For punching a can of the larger size, the operator places the larger flange 3 over the can end in a similar fashion, with the handle II in upright position and forces the piercing elements through the can material by bearing down on the flange 4.

It will be noted that this can punch is extremely simple in construction and may be made of a single piece of angle iron, except for the handle, and is so rugged in construction that it will stand many years of wear and tear and rough usage.

ing elements near the prongs, the piercing elements being'shorter than the prongs. 7

3. A can punch comprising a flat, elongated strip of metal having two deep and narrow transverse cuts near the ends thereof to present spaced end prongs and having a recess in the body por- 1 tion between the cuts shaped to provide two piercing elements near the prongs the piercing elements being shorter than the prongs andthe recess being shallower than the cuts to limit the depth of penetration of the piercing elements.

4, A can punch comprising a metal angle hav ing two flanges, each flange being shaped to present two spaced piercing elements in the plane thereof.

5. A can punch comprising'a metal angle hav ing two flanges, each flange being shaped to present two piercing elements in the plane thereof, and each flange being adapted to serveas apressure element for operating the piercing elements of the other flange.

6. A can punch comprising a metal angle having two flanges, each flange being shaped to me i sent two spaced piercing elements and two guide elements at opposite ends of the piercing elements within the plane of the flange.

7. A can punch comprising a metal angle having two flanges, each flange being shaped to present two spaced piercing elements and two guide elements at opposite ends of the piercing elements within the plane of the flange, and each flange being adapted to serve as a pressure element for operating the piercing, elements of the other 8. A can punch comprising a flat, elongated strip of metal having two deep and narrow transverse cuts near the ends thereof to present spaced end prongs and having a recess in the body portion between the cuts shaped to provide two piercing elements near the prongs, and a handle projecting from the strip for manipulating the same.

9. A-can punch comprising a metal angle having two flanges, each flange being shaped to present two piercing elements in the plane thereof, and each flange being adapted to serve as a pressure element for operating the piercing elements of the other flange, and a handle projecting from the angle in the plane of one of the flanges.

10. A can punch comprising a metal angle having two flanges, each flange beingshaped to present two spaced piercing elements and two guide elements at opposite ends of the piercing elements within the plane of the flange, and each flange being adapted to serve as'a pressure element for operating the piercing elements of the other flange, and a handle projecting, from the angle in the planeof one of the flanges.

ALLEN HURD. 

